READ THE CITIZENS' VOICE

Digital Only Subscription
Read the digital e-Edition of The Citizens' Voice on your PC or mobile device, and have 24/7 access to breaking news, local sports, contests, and more at citizensvoice.com or on our mobile apps.

Digital Services
Have news alerts sent to your mobile device or email, read the e-Edition, sign up for daily newsletters, enter contests, take quizzes, download our mobile apps and see the latest e-circulars.

Obituaries

Article Tools

JAMIE PESOTINE / Times-Shamrock
From left, Lisa Molendini, Mark Balas and Michael Balas, participate in the 1980s costume contest at the The Totally '80s Weekend at Funfest 2013 in downtown Hazleton on Sunday.

Among the many activities that made Hazleton's Funfest theme come to life was the "Eighties Throwback Party," where not only the knowledge but style of the 1980s was tested.

Both Saturday and Sunday, large crowds enjoyed the annual streets fair that this year paid homage to the 1980s with a "Totally '80s Weekend" theme. As they made their way down Broad Street, participants stopped at the throwback party hosted by Mike Sosar, Funfest entertainment chairman, and WYLN TV personality Ann Gownley at the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance performance area at Broad and Wyoming streets.

A circle gathered around Sosar and Gownley as they quizzed the crowd on '80s pop culture and handed out prizes, such as '80s movie DVDs and other items reminiscent of the tubular '80s, like Rubik's cubes.

In addition to the trivia, there was a moonwalk competition and also a competition to see who could name '80s songs played over the sound system that boomed into the festive crowd all weekend long.

Three contestants in the '80s costume contest held at the party entered on a whim, using the same outfits they wore at a '80s theme birthday party this weekend. Michael Balas of Freeland won the contest dressed as singer George Michael in a black leather jacket with matching finger-less gloves and the unmistakable dangling cross earring the singer wore decades ago.

Balas competed against his brother Mark Balas, of Freeland, who dressed as Robert Smith from the Cure complete with his teased and tousled hair and black Gothic clothing. Mark's girlfriend Lisa Molendini, of West Hazleton, dressed as Madonna in a skirt with leggings, a T-shirt, sneakers and lace gloves.

Molendini said the trio raided a few people's closets to find the best accessories to make their costumes truly '80s and it paid off.

Grand prizes both nights were a set of tickets to see '80s tribute band Jessie's Girl at Penn's Peak on Oct. 18.

The throwback party, which entertained people of all ages, began both nights with an '80s-inspired dance routine by the Elite Dance Company.

Earlier Sunday, large crowds enjoyed a celebrity tricycle race and the annual Funfest parade, which included marching bands, cheerleaders, dancers, balloons and more.

achristman@standardspeaker.com, 570-455-3636

We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

To comment you must first create a profile and sign-in with a verified DISQUS account or social network ID. Sign up here.

Comments in violation of the rules will be denied, and repeat violators will be banned. Please help police the community by flagging offensive comments for our moderators to review. By posting a comment, you agree to our full terms and conditions. Click here to read terms and conditions.